Found in the manga anthology Telling Tales, by Sweatdrop Studios.
The author, Sonia Leong, has also done a Japanese Romeo and Juliet for Manga Shakespeare (westernized Montagues and traditionally Japanese Capulets).
This version's Princess is the usual Brainy Brunette with pince-nez glasses, Smart People Wear Glasses (reminiscent of Miss Clara's Damoiselle, here), inspired by Sonia Leong herself.
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| Miss Clara's illustration of the damsel (la Damoiselle) in Marie Diaz's retelling. The author made her a daughter of the landed gentry because she dislikes the baroque / rococo style. She appears poised and mature, learned on account of the books, globe, and pince-nez spectacles, and dark-haired to appear mature as well. A truly beautiful figurine in an equally beautiful diorama. |
The Prince is equally good-looking, with bobbed (cut to the jawline) dirty blond hair.
When the characters and subplot are introduced in narration, this is told in silhouettes, à la Utena.
The mention in the Seventh Story that they are going through foreign lands on honeymoon is suppressed.
THE PRINCE AND THE PRINCESS
Our princess is uncommonly clever. She has been looking for a man who could stand up to her intellect.
Many men flocked to the palace, but when they stood before her, all words flew out of their heads.
One day, a young man with neither horse nor carriage strode into the throne room.
His eyes sparkled ..., and his hair was long and handsome, but his clothes were poor.
He spoke well, not wishing to court the princess, but to exchange wisdom.
This she liked, and she liked him.
GERDA: Please take me there!
HUGIN: I know of a secret passage. You can sneak in at night.
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PRINCESS: Hmm, what's going on?
GERDA EXPLAINED. THE PRINCE AND THE PRINCESS DECIDED TO HELP HER.
THEY GAVE HER A HORSE AND CARRIAGE TO SEARCH FOR KAI.
THE LITTLE ROBBER GIRL
ROBBERS: What have we here?
ROBBERS: How plump and tender she looks!
TUULIKKI: NO! She shall play...
TUULIKKI: ...with ME!
TUULIKKI: I'll ride in the carriage.
TUULIKKI: ...with ME!
TUULIKKI: I'll ride in the carriage.
TUULIKKI: They shan't kill you unless I get angry with you.
TUULIKKI: I think you must be a princess.
GERDA: No, I'm not...
GERDA TOLD THE ROBBER GIRL HER STORY...
AND HOW MUCH SHE CARED FOR LITTLE KAI.
TUULIKKI: Even if I get angry with you, they shan't kill you.
TUULIKKI: I will do it myself.
